Hey all!

I'm new here so take it easy on me! I am actually the son of an owner of a Fabia vRS but i would like to install an aftermarket Cd Autochanger into it for his Xmas Pressy! I have already considered the standard Cd autochanger but it is expensive for what it is considering i can get an aftermarket one with many more features i.e. MP3 CD compatibility for less. Also the guys at MK Skoda garage said it was a poor unit and had many returned with problems!

Therefore i'm really asking what i need to fit an aftermarket unit! I understand that it can go under the passengers seat? Is there a tray there it fits into? Will only certain size autochangers fit? Regarding the changer itself, am i limited to 6 disc units? Will an Mp3 compatible one work? For interfacing do i use a Connects2 unit and what is the specific part no.? Also are there any guides about i can look at for help on fitment/taking bits apart to get to back of existing CD player? I'm quite experienced having fitted Cd players to all my family and mates cars and having done a full aftermarket system in my own car but wanted to be 100% sure with my dads!

I'm sorry if any of this has been discussed before but after searching on this site for ages i could only find stuff on the Skoda standard unit. As it is for my dad he doesn't want the main CD player changed even though i know it would be better quality with more features :P He is stubborn like that!

Anyway Cheers for all help in advance! Good site you got here and may have to convince him to look into uprated intake, chipping, sorted brakes and sorted suspension when his warranty runs out eventually!

Thanks Again,

Woody

i doubt very much that there are many aftermarket cd changers that will fit the space under the passenger seat, sombody will prove me wrong soon no doubt....

have you looked at the oe units available on ebay??

i doubt very much that there are many aftermarket cd changers that will fit the space under the passenger seat, sombody will prove me wrong soon no doubt....

I tried under the passenger seat, but without a custom bracket of some sort it was a non-starter. Plenty of space under there though (for a 6-disc unit, at least), so if you had access to the right tools etc. I see no reason why it couldn't be done. I resorted to putting mine in the boot, on the side of the nearside rear wheel arch, and that's done me fine for 40k miles! It's only held on by some bolts poked through the carpet lining though - I really must get round to permanently attaching the brackets that come with it to the wheel arch (primer followed by Araldite job, I reckon )

I believe it can be done. I've got a retail Panasonic changer (don't have the details to hand) that I bought from someone at work who was trading their Mk4 Golf in. Was a straight fit to the headunit using the included cabling.

I intended to fit under the passenger seat and buy the mounting bits, but the cable was Mk4 Golf size (loooong) so it temporarily got fitted in the boot and never got moved! I believe the dimensions are the same as the OEM Panasonic changer.

I put my Pioneer changer in a modified underseat stowage box. The opening is 226 mm wide by at least 120 mm high but you may need to cut the back off the box to deepen it (there is at least 50 mm of space behind the back of the box).

Do make sure the head unit has a CD changer input on it (best way to check is look for a button with CD on it on the head unit, saves you taking it out)!

Do make sure the head unit has a CD changer input on it (best way to check is look for a button with CD on it on the head unit, saves you taking it out)!

The Symphony unit (fitted on all models but the Classic) will take an autochanger, so the one in the vRS should be fine. You can get an adaptor to run aftermarket changers, which you'll need to stuff somewhere inside the dash...

The Symphony unit (fitted on all models but the Classic) will take an autochanger, so the one in the vRS should be fine. You can get an adaptor to run aftermarket changers, which you'll need to stuff somewhere inside the dash...

I dont think my MS 402 would, and thats in a comfort. It doesnt have any input on the rear for a changer and no buttons on the front to change CD's or even select CD as a source. Maybe post 2001 they were all CD changer friendly :confused:

There is also a Skoda fitting kit including the lead and brackets - everything you need bar the changer.

I dont think my MS 402 would, and thats in a comfort. It doesnt have any input on the rear for a changer and no buttons on the front to change CD's or even select CD as a source. Maybe post 2001 they were all CD changer friendly :confused:

It's not that - the changer-friendly radio/cassette was a completely different model (MS502 I think). I'm not even sure it was sold here in the UK as far as that goes...

As regards having an MS402 in a Comfort, it was the same in my wife's 51-plate Comfort but the Symphony's gradually trickled down through the range. I think it's got to the stage now that only the 1.2 Classic has one, and literally every other Fabia has the Symphony. Makes you wonder whether it's actually worthwhile Skoda keeping the MS402 in the line-up at all these days...

wow really helpful so far guys! So if i get a skoda fabia fitting kit what will it include? The cable with it will fit any make of aftermarket CD autochanger? I would prefer it under the passenger seat but may be able to put in boot if the fitting kit doesnt allow me to fit the aftermarket changer under the passengers seat!

Anyone got any part numbers of adapters for the back of the unit? Any recommendations from places to buy a changer from? Im assuming a 6 Disc MP3 one will work fine?

Cheers Again!

It's not that - the changer-friendly radio/cassette was a completely different model (MS502 I think). I'm not even sure it was sold here in the UK as far as that goes...

As regards having an MS402 in a Comfort, it was the same in my wife's 51-plate Comfort but the Symphony's gradually trickled down through the range. I think it's got to the stage now that only the 1.2 Classic has one, and literally every other Fabia has the Symphony. Makes you wonder whether it's actually worthwhile Skoda keeping the MS402 in the line-up at all these days...

Yes the MS502 is the one with changer capability , Ive the MS402 as well! The MS502 (part no AOO 400 003) is availible through your local dealer tho , for the princely sum of

Yes the MS502 is the one with changer capability , Ive the MS402 as well! The MS502 (part no AOO 400 003) is availible through your local dealer tho , for the princely sum of

It's not that - the changer-friendly radio/cassette was a completely different model (MS502 I think). I'm not even sure it was sold here in the UK as far as that goes...

From what I recall, the radio/cassette in my old X reg Fabia Elegance explicitly would accept the 6-CD changer. Maybe it is just the Classic that's stuck in a time warp.

From what I recall, the radio/cassette in my old X reg Fabia Elegance explicitly would accept the 6-CD changer. Maybe it is just the Classic that's stuck in a time warp.

Must include the Comfort <2001 Y Reg in the Tardis too.

Mines the MS402 , and it definately can not be used as a CD changer control , as there are no CD buttons , or anything like that on the unit. My car is one of the 1st Fabias , built in late Jan 2000 and regd in Feb 2000 on a V plate. Maybe selected cars got the MS502 because there were no MS402s to hand at the factory at certain times?

Sod that for a game of soldiers! Kenwood USB MP3 CD headunit

Errr so yeah his will definately allow a CD changer as no vRS was ever fitted with that other unit? Does anyone know what the skoda fabia fitting kit comes with? Im guessing the cable it comes with is useless if i'm using an aftermarket changer as that will also need the conversion to skoda wires via a connects2 adapter anyway? Also are changers a standard size i.e. DIN? If not surely the fitting kit is only useful for the OEM changer?

bryand - when you say you put it in a modified underseat box was this a totally custom item or will my dad already have a tray under there which you modified? If this is an extra from Skoda do you know the part number?

Cheers

Head unit with a USB connection... now there's a bloomin good idea! I might have to get me one of them. Shove a laptop harddrive in the glove box and job done. I assume you have one of these Kenwood headunits? If so, what's it like? Have you come across any problems?

Click me to find audio heaven!:P

Can anyone answer any of my questions from my above post or does no one know?

bryand - when you say you put it in a modified underseat box was this a totally custom item or will my dad already have a tray under there which you modified? If this is an extra from Skoda do you know the part number?

Cheers

All Fabia vRSes have at least one underseat stowage box - usually under the passenger seat. It is held in by 4 screws. I removed it from the car, butchered it to allow a cardboard mockup of the changer unit to fit, then replaced it in the car and let my ICE installer get on with fitting the actual unit (which is stuck to the base of the stowage box using nothing more than self-adhesive Velcro).

The stowage boxes are standard Skoda parts:

6Y0 881 577 47H - passenger side

6Y0 881 578 47H - driver's side. Cost less than

Thanks mate Should have one happy dad come xmas time! Any adapter you reccomend to interface between changer and the standard stereo? Is it aftermarket brand specific?